QUIZ – 2020: INSIGHTS STATIC , 10 May 2021 – Polity

Solution: a)

Executive accountability to the legislature is enforced through questions in Parliament also, which are answered by ministers. However, department standing committees go one step further and hear from senior officials of the government in a closed setting, allowing for more detailed discussions. This mechanism also enables parliamentarians to understand the executive processes closely.

Parliamentary committees draw their authority from Article 105 (on privileges of Parliament members) and Article 118 (on Parliament’s authority to make rules for regulating its procedure and conduct of business). Committee reports are usually exhaustive and provide authentic information on matters related to governance. Bills that are referred to committees are returned to the House with significant value addition. Parliament is not bound by the recommendations of committees.

Solution: d)

If a law made by Parliament or the state legislatures violates any provision of the Constitution, the Supreme Court has the power to declare such a law invalid or ultra vires.

Article 254 is a classic example of how both unitary and federal features exist in the Indian constitution. The Article provides that in case of a conflict between a central and a state law on the same subject, the provisions of the central law will prevail over the conflicting provisions of the same law.

Solution: b)

Those provisions of the Constitution which are related to the federal structure of the polity can be amended by a special majority of the Parliament and also with the consent of half of the state legislatures by a simple majority.

The following provisions can be amended in this way:

1. Election of the President and its manner.
2. Extent of the executive power of the Union and the states.
3. Supreme Court and high courts.
4. Distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the states.
5. Any of the lists in the Seventh Schedule.
6. Representation of states in Parliament.
7. Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and its procedure (Article 368 itself).

Solution: d)

Article 156 in The Constitution Of India 1949

Term of office of Governor

(1) The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President

(2) The Governor may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office

(3) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this article, a Governor shall hold for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office

(4) Provided that a Governor shall, notwithstanding the expiration of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office

Solution: d)

Any candidate who fails to secure more than one-sixth (16.5%) of the total valid votes cast would forfeit his or her deposit. When a large number of candidates contest the election, due to distribution of votes, the winning candidate may get less than one-sixth of valid votes.